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On Sunday October 23, 2011 an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 at 5 km depth hit the province of Van in eastern Turkey, followed by a series of powerful aftershocks of magnitudes up to 5.6. The epicentre was located at 38" 37' 40.80"N, 43" 29' 9.60"E, at the village of Tabanli 19 km north-east of the city of Van between the Van Lake and the Iranian border. Several municipalities around the Van Lake were affected.
Especially Bitlis on the west side and and Ercis on the north side of the lake were hit severely. According to Turkish media phone lines and electricity had been cut off. Thus initial reports of damage and casualties have been hard to come by. First estimates speak of 87 deaths and about 1000 injuries. This number is expected to rise substantially.